22R timing chain R&R on 86 pickup

SKIP TO THE BOTTOM
Just got a Haynes manual and it says the head and oil pan need to come off if I use thier directions is that necessary?
No problem if thats what has to be done but sense the head and pan gaskets are not included in the timing kit I figure there may be a way around removing them and I'm all about easier. This is my first 22R I've done timing belts on a BMW and a few others Timing chains I've only done while rebuilding engines (domestic) before, but this Toyota is hard to follow in the Haynes
If someone knows of a guide or list that tells what has to come off 1st then next it would be helpful
Just wish someone with expereance woud shead a little light on what I'm getting into. is it worth pulling the engine to do this job? basically I'll be by myself.

I did a web search on - Toyota 22R timing chain replace - and chose the one that said without removing the head and found step by step with pictures and copied to a word doc.
I know a web search will find almost anything and yhis was no exception. there are other links that I'll look into also.

You don't need to remove the OP unless you find the TC guides are gone (common), in which case the pieces are in the OP.

that or the tensioner. I'll check it out soon. granddaughter born on the 22nd so now I can schedule things to do. I ordered a timing kit. and will replace the oil and water pumps but want to check the cover first, seems that those need replacing a lot of times as I see them on ebay in big numbers. need to know what to look for besides the obvious.

The TC cover only needs replacing if you break it removing it or if the slop in the TC is wearing/has worn a hole thru it.

If the TC has worn a hole thru it, you have oil and coolant mixing, very bad for crank bearings.

The thing with the 22RE timing chain is that the tensioner sticks and the chain begins to slap at the cover, wearing it out and eventually into the water jacket.
There will be a lot of metal fragments sluffing into the oil once this starts to happen.
If there are groves in the aluminum it might be a good idea to have them filled, if ANY welding is done to fill them the cover needs to be redecked. I had one welded 15 years ago because even then those covers were hard to find used and in good condition.
ALWAYS replace the tensioner with NEW! The guides become very brittle and should be replaced too.
You can easily spend more time trying to cut corners by not removing the oil pan and then tending to oil leaks around those gaskets than to do it the right way and get your great motor sealed up tight.
22RE’s are worthy of putting a lot of work into as they will serve you trouble free for many years and miles, IF the work is done right.
Get Dirty and Good Luck.

I'm about ready to start taking it apart. I have the timing kit but the plastic guides scare me a little but I guess if thats what toyota went with it should be ok.these engins keep going so they must have done something right. I thought the kit I bought had the metal guides but thats what I get for thinking.

I'm just about sure that I'll pull the pan. I will haveto see what it takes to get to it and remove it. only problem I see is in doing the work with the engine still in the truck. pounds ago it would have been a lot easier that and my eye sight doesn't like to focus at some distance's. normally I would have taken it apart and then descide what to replace and it still may end up that way. I just hope I get lucky and the TC cover is OK I already figure on replacing the oil and water pumps, no reason to be that close and not do it.